Reversing-gear for steam-engines



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. A. CLARKE.

RBVERSING GEAR FOR STEAM ENGINES.

Patented Feb. 20, 1883.

N. PUER$ Phow-Lhhcgnphor, Wuhington. D. C.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet 2. W. A. CLARKE.

REVERSING GEAR FOR STEAM ENGINES.

No. 272,648. Patented Feb.,2 0. 1883.

/ m 7LeJJeJ: liz azzthm W cg, .S g M u a 17 WW 'WILLARD A. CLARKE, OFSTILLWATER, MINNESOTA.

REVERSlNG-GEAR FOR STEAM-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part oi Letters Patent No. 272,648, dated February20, 1883.

Application filedJ'annary 23,1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLARD A. CLARKE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Stillwater, in the county of Washington and State ofMinnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inReversing-Gear for Steam-Engines. of which the following is aspecification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a sufficient portion of an engine toillustrate the method of applying my invention thereto. Fig. 2 is asectional view of the clutch mechanism, the shaft being shown in sideelevation. Fig. 3 is a face view of the eccentric and governor fullydetached. Fig. 4. is a transverse section on the line at at, Fig. Fig. 5is a longitudinal section of a slightly-modified form. Fig. 6 is atransverse section on the line y 1 Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a view of theshifting-lever.

Theinvention relates to improvements in the device for reversing anengine or reversing the direction of the main engine-shaft.

It relates more especially to improvements in reversinggear of the classhaving sockets in the face of the eccentric, or in the face of a hill)or collar carried by the eccentric, with which sockets alternately a pinengages, the pin being connected with the shaft by means ofa slidingcollar which carries it, and which is connected to said shaft.

HeIctOfOIBll? has been customary to have the face of the eccentric inwhich are made the sockets for receiving the pin smooth, except at thepointwhere the said sockets are sunk; or where a projecting hub, collar,or pulley has been formed or attached to the eccentric to receive thesesockets the face of said hub or collar has been made smooth.

Much difficulty is experienced in practice in using a device of thecharacter last described, from the fact that repeated trials are oftennecessary before an engagement is effected when reversing. Thisdifficulty I have succeeded in overcoming in the manner which will behereinafter set forth. Again, it has been customary in making reversing-gea.r of the character to which this invention appertains to form anenlarged socket in the fixed collar and place therein a pin and coiledspring for the purpose of operating the pin. This, also, has

been a matter of much trouble, as the spring is situated eccentricallyrelatively to the main shaft, and therefore the sliding collar (whichalso must be moved by the spring) has not been afi'ected asadvantageously as is desirable and necessary. Another part of thepresent invention relates to the overcoming of this difficulty.

The devices to be specifically described may be combined with an engineof any preferred kind.

As shown, there is a crank-wheel, 0, upon the main engine-shaft D.

E is the eccentric mounted on the main engine-shaft and related to thevalve in any suitable way, and connected therewith by the rod F. Theeccentric is loose upon the shaft,and with it is formed, or to itis'attached. the governor-pulley G. In this part G are formed sockets,recesses, or thimbles H, which are adapted to receive and engage with apin, to be described. The sockets are equidistant from the shaft and asuitable number of degrees apart.

I represents a groove or slot cut in the face of the pulley concentricwith the shaft, and extending from one of the sockets H to the other.Preferably this slot is about threequarters of-an inch wide and half aninch deep. Instead of forming these in the governor-pulley, they may beformed directly in the face of the eccentric itself, or in theface of ahub, collar, or plate carried by the eccentric. Immediately adjacent tothis governor-pulley, flange, hub, or collar G there is arranged asliding cup-shaped part, consisting of a collar or hub portion, K, and aflange part, K. It carries a pin, L, which is rigid relatively to thehub or collar, and projects from it toward the eccentric, to be adaptedto engage with one or the other of the sockets or recesses H. Thesliding part K K is keyed to the shaft either by an ordinary spline orfeather, as shown in Fig. 5, or by means of an expanded disk or hub, asat M, Figs. 2 and 3. In the latter case the part M is provided with aspline or feather, m, and with set-screws m, by means of which it can befastened in any proper position.

N represents a coiled spring around the shaft, one end of which bearsagainst a fixed collar or equivalent device at N, the'other end bearingagainst the sliding part K K. The I spring constantly tends to force thepart K K toward the eccentric, and therefore to force the pin L into oneor the other of the sockets H. A spring of the character shown is muchmore effective and much surer in its operations than are those abovealluded to, mounted eccentrically relatively to the shaft in acomparatively small socket in a fixed hub or collar, and arranged tobear against the connecting-pin. Especially is this the case when thepin has been connected with the sliding collar loosely, as hasgenerallybeen the custom in mechanisms of this sort.

0 represents a forked shippinglever, the arms of which engage with thesliding partK K by means of a groove, h therein. In an engine having asteam-dome above the boiler the lever O is bent, and ispivotallyconnected to a sliding hand lever, O. The latter is mounted inone or more bearings, as at P, and is provided with a pin or stop, 19,so situated that when a pull is exerted upon the lever O the slidingpart K K shall not be drawn too far away from the eccentric. The part KK should not be drawn so far as to withdraw the end of the pin from thegroove or slot I, and therefore said groove can be utilized to insurethat the pin shall instantly engage with the next socket or recess.

In operation, when it is desired to reverse the engine by means of themechanism described, it is done by pulling upon the lever O, which,throughthe shipping-lever," draws the pin out from the socket H withwhich itis engaged, andalter it is withdrawn the eccentric is heldstationary by the friction ofthe valve upon its seat, and the shalt,together with the sliding part K Kand its pin L, continue to revolveuntil the latter reaches the next socket, which it is caused to enter byreason of the tension of the spring N. This results in a reversingof theengine, as will be readily understood. The'groove I overcomes thedifficulty heretofore experienced with devices of this sort-namely, thefailing of the pin to engage with the next socket at the proper time.When the groove is used it is practically impossible for the-pin to passbeyond said socket. In the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the partK has'preferably inwardly-projecting flanges or ribs k engaging with therib 912, these parts operating to hold the sliding part properlyinposition relatively to the shaft. As said above, these parts,how-

ernor-pulley, the latter being preferably provided with a groove orannular recess, in which is fitted a collar, 6, to hold the eccentric inproper place on the shaft.

I prefer to form the sliding part K K and connect it to the shaftasshown in Figs.2 and o. This arrangement makes a more comely appearance,covers'up entirely the screws m, which are otherwise liable to catch thegovernor-belt should it run of its pulley, and also shortens the parts,which is a great ad vantage.

It is also preferable to aconnection by feather or key, which it isnecessary to fit and adjust with great nicety. in order to set the valvein its proper position.

I do not claim any of the features which I have shown and describedexcept those specificallysetforthin the followingclaims,reserving theright to claim other patent-able matters to which [may be entitled inanother application heretofore filed,ot' which this is a division.

What I claim is 1. The combination ol'the followingelements: theengine-shaft, the eccentric loose thereon, the sockets or recessescarried by the eccentric,

the groove between the socketsor recesses, the 8 sliding pin orprojection, and means for preventing said pin or projection fromescaping from the groove when it is withdrawn'from the sockets orrecesses, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the eccentric pro- 93 vided with sockets ormeans for engaging with a pin,ofa sliding part having the flange K andthe pin,and means within said flange for holding the part upon theshaft, substantially as set forth. 9 5

3. The combination, with the eccentric provided with sockets or meansfor engaging with a pin, of the sliding cup-shaped part having theflangeK, provided with a guide upon its inner side, the adjustable ringor disk secured to the shaft within the flange, and provided with atongue fitted in the way. or guideupon the flange K, substantially asset forth.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of'two witnesses.

WILLARD A. CLARKE.

Witnesses:

It. A. FOYLE, POWELL MAcY.

